We did the flu shot thing on Monday (and blogged about it – http://parenthood.phibian.com/). You’ve probably already left for your clinic but based on our experience Tom Brown wasn’t a bad place to go. FWIW, people who showed up towards the end had much shorter wait times than people who lined up before the doors opened. I know the media is reporting that they close off the line but at least on Monday at Tom Brown that wasn’t strictly true. If I had to do it over, I’d try arriving around 8pm and joining the end of the line. But maybe they’ve become more strict now, so it would be a gamble.

Elizabeth (8 months tomorrow) got her shot in the thigh and reacted the least to it compared to all shots received to date. She was pretty sleepy and a bit cranky the next day – slept four hours straight! (She is normally a 45 minute napper). But didn’t seem to restrict her movements or object to pressure where she had the injection unlike her parents who feel a bit like we’re at the tail end of recovering from a very severe flu.

The second shot is “recommended” after a minimum of 21 days because they only give children a half dose at a time. There is some evidence coming out that the second half dose may not be necessary, so I’m planning to revisit the recommendations in 20 days or so.

Totally disagree with the timing of the full-day kindergarten – Ontario so can not afford this….unless he can implement the whole plan don’t bother with just partial plan.

Hilarious about the Baby Einstein videos – never heard about the refund….hilarious

There were many computer glitches yesterday, the volunteers/health care workers were struggling with the computers. They had support there quickly, but it was not seamless – things should go much more smoothly today and for the rest of the week. They really did not ask if you were in any of the high risk groups, btw. They accepted everyone.

My arm hurts like a bitch. Flu shots always seem to ( this is our 8th year of flu shots). My daughter and I seem to be suffering more than the boys in our family;). The baby? well, he got off without one…but that just freaks me out worse:((. I had to tell my housekeeper today that if she did not get a vaccination, we were going to have to let her go:((. She is going to the early clinics in our area ( Friday and saturday in Cornwall…but may be starting earlier and accepting students as a high risk group now as well), as a caregiver to a child who can not be vaccinated, as she has regular and loving:)) contact with the baby.

And Dani, thank you for deleting my comment the other day. I can talk about it now:((. It is my girlfriend’s daughter who passed away on saturday from H1N1. She was an awesome kid – beautiful and athletic and funny and quirky and imaginative. She loved to dance and dress up and play…we are so very heartbroken here. She was a healthy child, taken out by this freaking virus. It will not hit everyone this hard…my son had it several weeks ago and recovered well ( but was as sick as he has ever been – he is 13 ) – but the uncertainty is simply overwhelming. And terrifying. I still can’t believe this has happened to a child…and THIS child. It is incomprehensible to me.

I understand people are fearful of the what has been described as the “unknown” about this flu shot. I respect that fear. Noone wants to make a choice that they think puts their child at risk.

But knowing now, first hand, what can and has happened if it grabs hold of your child? I am sorry. The reality is just too harsh.

I am off to read Jody’s post now, to distract myself from crying. Thanks for a place to talk Dani.

@XUP – parentcentral.ca is probably quoting the CanWest story, but according to the actual Baby Einstein web site, they’re wrong. Canadians only get refund of DVDs purchased within the past 60 days and only with receipt.

@thodora — only if you migrate to the States!

@Cheaty — phew, one less thing to worry about! I was surprised to hear any doc recommending against it.

@karen — yep, am hoping they will take pity on us. BUT, I just heard yesterday that in fact for kids under 9 they will need a booster in a couple of weeks. Gah!

@Carly — portable DVD player? I love you, madly and deeply. Thank you for that idea!!!

We braved the line-ups yesterday and got our vaccines. One for me (because I have asthma) and one for the Little Man. We debated a very long time over getting him vaccinated because although he also has asthma, he’s got an egg allergy too. His pediatrician said “no way” to having him vaccinated despite the fact that his allergy is not life threatening. His allergist said “sure, but only if I give it to him in a controlled environment, but we won’t get any vaccines until well into December” and my family doctor said “he’ll be fine – go to a clinic and get it right away”. Talk about confusing.

We arrived at 2:20pm and pulled number 521. Six hours later, we had gotten our shots and were on our way home. Thank heavens for snacks, colouring, toys and laptops with DVD’s!!!

The clinic was a zoo with people milling about everywhere and no instruction on what to do or how things would proceed. Eventually (after an hour or so) announcements were made and about half of the over 900 people left when nurses from Public Health made it clear that only children, pregnant women (I love how they keep qualifying pregnant WOMEN) and adults with underlying medical conditions would be vaccinated that day.